DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 3

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

CONFIDENCE IN HELP VOICED. CANADA AND UNITED STATES. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jtily 31. Relief at the difference to Now Zealand’s defence which could confidently be expected to result from the visit of the Government’s delegation to the United States and Canada was expressed in an interview by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, a member of the War Cabinet, who has returned by Clipper from San Francisco. 'Mr Coates emphasised that upon the decisions of the priority committee in London depended the speed and extent of the divergence of war materials to any country, but he had brought hack with him a feeling of tremendous confidence that the United States and Canada would do everything in their power to help New Zealand. “What we want will gradually come forward, subject to the decisions of the priority committee,” said Mr Coates. “In some instances our needs will be mot more quickly than in others.” Mr Coates said he was naturally not at liberty to disclose many features or details of the results of the delegation’s visit. However, it could bq said that, supposing a sudden emergency should arise, material which was coming forward ior the Empire’s use could be diverted to the point which wrfs deemed to be most urgently requiring it. “The most important feature of the visit,” said Mr Coates, “is thatnvo now know exactly where we stand. We khotv the mysteries and complications of the whole Supply question. We know the whole set-up ,and we know how to go about meeting our own particular problems. One thing i would say as a result of our visit — that it is essential for New Zealand to have adequate representation at Washington.” His section of the delegation, said Mr Coates was to search for and to find equipment and materials for New Zealand, and to discover to what extent the Lease and Lend Act might bn applied to the Dominion’s defence and war requirements. The first part of this included weapons, munitions, and warlike supplies, covering all three services. The second part was with respect to equipment and supplies for civil purposes, in order that, the Do*

minion might keep up its/ maximum war effort. In addition, any equipment of a, nature included in the purposes of the mission required specific arrangements concerning supply from Canada. This was because, insofar as the Empire could provide the items wanted, they should he obtained to the maximum extent, both for home, defence and for the fighting services, from Empire countries. Allowing for the time factor and the quantity required to. take their proper relation* ship, the Lease and Lend Act applied fro the balance.

Ur Coates was met at the airport by the Minister for Defence (the Finn. F. Jones), the Mayor (Mr J. C. A. Allnm) members of other public bodies, and members of his family. Fie was later tendered a civic reception. Mr Coates will probably leave for Wellington on Sunday.

Mr. Coates, who was accompanied by his private secretary, Mr E. Officer, and Colonel A. B. Williams, officer commanding the Royal New Zealand Artillery left Now Zealand in the middle of May. Asked about the result of the mission from his point of view, Colonel Williams said: “Generally speaking, I think wo can say we were satisfied, more than we expected to be.”